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Corsair iCUE Link RX120 vs Noctua NF-A14 PWM: Comparison
Corsair iCUE Link RX120 vs Noctua NF-A14 PWM: the static pressure difference
Static pressure is where these two genuinely part company, Corsair iCUE Link RX120 4.38 mmH2O against Noctua NF-A14 PWM 2.08 mmH2O, a 53% lead for Corsair iCUE Link RX120. Add airflow to that, 74.2 CFM on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 82.52 CFM on the Noctua NF-A14 PWM, and the pattern holds. Max speed runs the same way, 2100 RPM on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 1500 RPM on the Noctua NF-A14 PWM, another win for Corsair iCUE Link RX120. Add warranty to that, 5 years on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 6 years on the Noctua NF-A14 PWM, and the pattern holds.
Who each one is for
The Corsair iCUE Link RX120 suits iCUE Link fan and cooler builds and cable-management-focused builds, though it is the wrong buy for Non-iCUE-Link systems and RGB-focused builds. The Noctua NF-A14 PWM is the one to take for silent-focused builds and case intake/exhaust in mid or full towers, though it is not the pick for RGB-themed builds and budget multi-fan upgrades. Our rating of the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 (8/10): A clean, quiet workhorse fan that only really makes sense once you're bought into iCUE Link's single-cable wiring. Our rating of the Noctua NF-A14 PWM (9/10): the default recommendation for a 140mm airflow fan when looks don't matter and quiet running does.
What Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A14 PWM have in common
Everything else lines up. Fan thickness, pack quantity, pwm control, rgb lighting and lighting type read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 and Noctua NF-A14 PWM differ on noise level?
Yes. Noise Level reads 36 dBA on the Corsair iCUE Link RX120 versus 24.6 dBA on the Noctua NF-A14 PWM.
Specs and benchmarks
Fan Size
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 120 mm
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 140 mm
Brand
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Corsair
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- Noctua
Model
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- iCUE Link RX120
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- NF-A14 PWM
Lighting
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- No RGB
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- None
Fan Thickness
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 25 mm
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 25 mm
Pack Quantity
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 1
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 1
Static Pressure
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 4.38 mmH2OBest
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 2.08 mmH2O-53%
Max Speed
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 2100 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 1500 RPM-29%
Airflow
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 74.2 CFM-10%
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 82.52 CFMBest
Noise Level
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 36 dBA
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 24.6 dBABest
PWM Control
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Yes
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- Yes
Min Speed
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 400 RPMBest
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 300 RPM
Connector Type
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Proprietary
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 4-Pin PWM
RGB Lighting
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- No
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- No
Lighting Type
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- None
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- None
Colorway
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Black
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- Brown And Beige
Warranty
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- 5 years-17%
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- 6 yearsBest
Positioning
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120
- Mainstream
- Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- Premium
Which one should you pick?
Choose Corsair iCUE Link RX120 if you want the higher static pressure (4.38 mmH2O vs 2.08 mmH2O) and the higher max speed (2100 RPM vs 1500 RPM).
Choose Noctua NF-A14 PWM if you want the higher airflow (82.52 CFM vs 74.2 CFM), the lower noise level (24.6 dBA vs 36 dBA) and the higher warranty (6 years vs 5 years).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Corsair iCUE Link RX120 | Noctua NF-A14 PWM |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Store | View on Corsair Store | |
| Amazon | View on Amazon |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Corsair iCUE Link RX120
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A clean, quiet workhorse fan that only really makes sense once you're bought into iCUE Link's single-cable wiring.
Noctua NF-A14 PWM
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The default recommendation for a 140mm airflow fan when looks don't matter and quiet running does.